Meriden CT - January 21, 2002 - Winter is well underway and with Connecticut's more than 20,000 miles of roadway under a continuing threat of snow, ice and freezing rain, the chance of your being in a collision increases dramatically. Connecticut Life & Casualty Insurance Company (CL&C) has a driving quiz that company president, Ron Licata, says "can hone driving skills and help prepare drivers for a safe trip." The Meriden, CT based auto and homeowner insurance company offers this driving quiz, but Mr. Licata also suggests that there is another question for drivers to ask themselves before they get in the car: "Is it safe to drive at all?"

1.) Should you over inflate or under inflate your tires during cold winter months?
    a) Over inflate, because tire pressure is lower in cold temperatures and you need more air.
    b) Under inflate, because you need the added traction that comes from having more tire tread on the road.
    c) Neither.

2.) If caught in a snow storm and you have to walk in the street, do you…?
    a) Walk in the street in the same direction as the traffic.
    b) Walk in the street facing oncoming traffic.

3.) If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes and you are braking on snow or ice, do you…?
    a) Pump the brakes repeatedly because it will keep you from going into a skid.
    b) Pump the brakes repeatedly because that is how you engage the anti-lock feature.
    c) Apply firm and continuous pressure to the brakes.

4.) When sliding into a skid, is it best to…?
    a) Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid.
    b) Turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction of the skid.
    c) Turn the steering wheel straight ahead.

5.) When approaching a snowy or icy hill, should you…?
    a) Accelerate to reach the top as quickly as possible.
    b) Come to a complete stop and then begin the assent.
    c) Slow up before reaching the hill and make the assent slowly and steadily.

6.) When heading down a snowy or icy hill, should you…?
    a) Come to a complete stop and then make your descent.
    b) Shift into a lower gear and make a slow descent.
    c) Make your decent using your brakes to slow you down.

2- b) Always walk facing the oncoming traffic. You will be better able to alert oncoming traffic to your whereabouts and be able to see and react if any cars veer into your path. It is also advisable to wear bright clothing or wrap a bright object, such as a red scarf or windbreaker, around you.

3- c) If you have anti-lock brakes, apply firm and continuous pressure. Anti-lock brakes automatically pump the brake many times a second so any pumping you do will only impair their effectiveness. If your car does not have anti-lock brakes, you can mimic that effect by pumping the brakes.

4- a) Turn in the direction of the skid. It may seem counterintuitive at first and even a little scary when doing it, but turning into the skid is your best chance to regain some traction. Turning in any other direction will only reduce the traction.

5- c) You'll have the best chance of safely making it up a hill by approaching it at a slow speed and maintaining that slow speed at a steady rate.

6- b) Shifting into a lower gear before making your descent and maintaining a slow steady speed, rather than using your brakes will improve traction.

Answers based on information from: Tire Industry Safety Council, U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Center for Statistics & Analysis and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.